A listing agreement should include a termination clause to outline conditions under which the property owner or real estate agent can end the contract early.
If you've officially decided to move forward with the cancellation, it's time to put it in writing and send it to the other party. When writing this letter, make sure to include the date the contract was drafted, the address of the home, the date of cancellation, and your reasons.
Termination clauses can always be customized but standard ones are included in almost every agreement.
Final answer: In terms of a real estate transaction, the ability to cancel a listing during the term of the listing agreement primarily lies with the seller and the broker.
First off, without a defined expiration date, you didn't have a ratified listing agreement. Second, in California, as of 2024, you cannot have a listing agreement term for longer than 24 months, and if you essentially had an indefinite listing agreement, this would be unlawful.